For those of you who have set your goals for this Go Healthy Month, great job! Just stay committed and give it some time, and you will see results — that's
how it happened for me! I went through the burden of being overweight,
so I'm here to help anyone who is ready for change and wants to get
fit. When I first started, I weighed 212 pounds and was not a very
happy girl. Being at such a size affected every part of my life. I was
very self-conscious, and I always wondered what it would be like to be
a smaller size. Then one day it just finally clicked and I realized:Hey, what's the point of being negative? I should stop thinking about
it so much and just do something!

So I refocused my frustrations into fitness and bettering my life. There was no reason to have my final days of childhood and my approaching high school years dominated by the numbers on the scale. So I bought a pair of really comfortable sneakers and started walking. I have to admit it took a lot of will power to get myself out of the house and on the track. I hated the feeling of being out of shape...but with each week I felt myself grow stronger!

Simultaneously, I cut down on portions and added nutritional foods, like more fruits and veggies, to my daily menu. Over time, the walking evolved into running, and keeping up with good nutrition was not so difficult. Here's what I learned: One must be patient, determined, and positive. You have to give yourself credit and enjoy the journey, even if at times it seems impossible. Push yourself and take the word "can't" out of your vocabulary, because you most certainly can. Now I sit here opening up about my own experience of becoming 60 pounds lighter, hoping to support your efforts. If I can do it, so can you! Get started now!

What's your biggest challenge to getting in shape? How can I help? Tell me below!